Method and Apparatus for Using a Personal Electronic Device as a Measurement Device

Abstract

A method of viewing a live image from a microscope through a camera lens of a first personal electronic device is described. The method includes receiving one or more optic powers of a microscope taking the live image entered into a first graphical user interface displayed on a screen of the first personal electronic device, and projecting a measurement tool on a second graphical user interface displayed on the screen of the first personal electronic device with units of measurement based on the entered optic powers. One or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media and a computer or computer system are also described. Hardware designed to connect a personal electronic device such as a smartphone to a microscope for viewing of a live microscope image through the camera lens of the personal electronic device is also described.

1 . A method of viewing a live image from a microscope through a camera lens of a first personal electronic device, the method comprising:
 receiving one or more optic powers of a microscope taking the live image entered into a first graphical user interface displayed on a screen of the first personal electronic device, and   projecting a measurement tool on a second graphical user interface displayed on the screen of the first personal electronic device with units of measurement based on the entered optic powers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more optic powers comprise an objective power and an ocular power. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising receiving a calibration factor entered into the first graphical user interface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising factoring the entered objective power, ocular power, and calibration factor into a formula which determines the units of measurement of the measurement tool. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the units of measurement are chosen from units comprising centimeters, millimeters, and micrometers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measurement tool is designed to measure dimensions of features within the live image according to an x-axis measurement and a y-axis measurement. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising calibrating the measurement tool by capturing a microscopic image of a measurement scale, and adjusting the calibration factor so that graduations of the measurement scale correspond in distance therebetween with graduations of the measurement tool. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a magnification power after the one or more optic powers of the microscope are entered. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sharing the live image with a second personal electronic device or multiple personal electronic devices by streaming the live image. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the live image is streamed from the first personal electronic device to the second personal electronic device in a manner that allows audio or text communication between a user of the first personal electronic device and a user of the second personal electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the streaming comprises sharing a URL hyperlink hosting a streamed image between the first personal electronic device and the second personal electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the live image is streamed from the first personal electronic device to multiple personal electronic devices. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the streaming comprises sharing a URL hyperlink hosting a streamed image between the first personal electronic device and the multiple personal electronic devices. 
     
     
         14 . One or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media having instructions for execution by one or more processors, the instructions programmed to cause the one or more processors to execute steps of a method of viewing a live image from a microscope through a camera lens of a first personal electronic device, the steps comprising:
 receiving one or more optic powers of a microscope taking the live image entered into a first graphical user interface displayed on a screen of the first personal electronic device, and   projecting a measurement tool on a second graphical user interface displayed on the screen of the first personal electronic device with units of measurement based on the entered optic powers.   
     
     
         15 . The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more optic powers comprise an objective power and an ocular power. 
     
     
         16 . The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of  claim 15 , wherein the steps further comprise receiving a calibration factor entered into the first graphical user interface. 
     
     
         17 . A computer or computer system, comprising:
 one or more processors designed to execute instructions; and   one or more non-transitory, computer-readable memories storing program instructions for execution by the one or more processors, the instructions programmed to cause the one or more processors to execute steps of a method of viewing a live image from a microscope through a camera lens of a first personal electronic device, the steps comprising:
 receiving one or more optic powers of a microscope taking the live image entered into a first graphical user interface displayed on a screen of the first personal electronic device, and 
 projecting a measurement tool on a second graphical user interface displayed on the screen of the first personal electronic device with units of measurement based on the entered optic powers. 
   
     
     
         18 . The computer or computer system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more optic powers comprise an objective power and an ocular power. 
     
     
         19 . The computer or computer system of  claim 18 , wherein the steps further comprise receiving a calibration factor entered into the first graphical user interface. 
     
     
         20 . The computer or computer system of  claim 19 , wherein the steps further comprise factoring the entered objective power, ocular power, and calibration factor into a formula which determines the units of measurement of the measurement tool.